Concert and Rehearsal Spaces

Thank you for your interest in using space at First Church in Cambridge. FCC offers beautiful spaces for your concert, performance or rehearsal. For more information about using space at First Church or to inquire about availability for a particular date, please contact Kirsten Manville. The Sanctuary, Lindsay Chapel, Margaret Jewett Hall and the Hastings Room are all wheelchair accessible.

Sanctuary

First FloorCapacity: 500Uses: performance, rehearsals, lectures

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Most recently renovated in 2000, the sanctuary seats 450-500, including the balcony and north transept. The sanctuary features excellent acoustics, the 1972 Frobenius tracker organ, and a Kawai grand piano. The platform of the performance space is wheelchair accessible and measures approximately, 29’ x 46’, plus the south transept choral risers, which seat 35, and the apse. Architectural features include a polygonal vaulted ceiling, hardwood maple floors, gilded dome in the apse, and beautiful stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and others. Our sanctuary is used by many groups for worship, lectures, concerts, and rehearsals throughout the year.

Margaret Jewett Hall

The church’s auditorium seats 200 with a small stage for performance. Painted in a rich burnt umber color, the space includes hardwood floors, an acoustical ceiling, a sound system and a bank of windows overlooking Mason Street. With the adjacent library, MJH is ideal for lectures, small concerts, receptions and meetings.

Hastings Room

The church’s parlor features an ornamental fireplace, period furnishings, oriental rugs, a grandfather clock and historic portraits. Hastings accommodates 40-50 people standing and is wheelchair accessible. There is an audio feed from the sanctuary to the Hastings Room, making it an excellent “green room” for sanctuary events.

Lindsay Chapel

First FloorCapacity: 80Uses: performance, rehearsals, lectures

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Dedicated in 1939, the chapel seats 80 people. The cool stone interior is perfect for small concerts, intimate weddings and classes or lectures. The chapel features three lancet stained-glass windows by Arthur Murray Dalin, a two-manual Andover pipe organ and antique wooden chairs.

Choir Room

Second FloorCapacity: 35Uses: rehearsals, meetings

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Located on the second floor, just up from the Garden Street entrance to the church, this is the home to First Church’s Choir. The space features hardwood floors, acoustical tiles and an upright piano. This space is not wheelchair accessible.

Sage Hall

BasementCapacity: 80Uses: rehearsals, meetings, children’s parties

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Sage Hall is located in the church basement. Full of toys and play equipment, it is the ideal space for a child’s birthday party. The floor is tiled, and includes a large open area where chairs can be placed in a circle for a meeting or other group activity. This space is not wheelchair accessible.

Below are just a few of the organizations that have recently used space at First Church: